JURUSAN KESLING
POLTEKKES MAKASSAR
Source: http://www.who.org/aboutwho/en/definition.html
Public Health
http://flickr.com/photos/tropicalrips/127535537/
Behaviors witnessed:
› Loss of motor control in
hands
› Violent tremors
› Swaggered walk
› Insanity
“Cat-dancing” disease
Nobody knew the cause of
the epidemic.
› Many hid for fear of
ridicule
http://www.hamline.edu/personal/amurphy01/es110/eswebsite/Proj
ectsSpring03/ebarker/Minamata%20Web%20Page.htm
• 30-70 tons of methyl
mercury was dumped
into the Bay
• 10,000 people affected
by Minamata disease.
– 3,000 died
http://www.physorg.com/news110359851.html
Methylmercury exposure in humans is
from consumption of fish, marine
mammals, and crustaceans
95% of fish-derived methylmercury is
absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract
and distributed throughout the body
› Highest in concentration in hair
www.mercury.utah.gov/images/health_effects.jpg
characteristic signs and symptoms in Minamata disease.
W. Eugene Smith
Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath
Minamata, 1972
Mercury (Hg) is the only
metal that is liquid at room
temperature. It melts at
-38.9oC and boils at 356.6oC.
Mercury conducts electricity,
expands uniformly with
temperature and easily forms
alloys with other metals
(called amalgams).
› For these reasons, it is used in
many products found in homes
and schools.
Mercury exists in three
oxidation states:
› Hg0 (elemental mercury).
› Hg22+ (mercurous).
› Hg2+ (mercuric).
Mercurous and mercuric
form numerous inorganic
and organic chemical
compounds.
› Organic forms of mercury,
especially methyl mercury,
CH3Hg(II)X, where “X” is a
ligand (typically Cl- or OH-)
are the most toxic forms.
Developing countries are particularly vulnerable to industrial
crises. However, industrial accidents such as Bhopal are not
just an Indian or even a Third World problem but are industrial
disasters waiting to happen , whether they are in the form of
"mini-Bhopals", smaller industrial accidents that occur with
disturbing frequency in chemical plants in both developed and
developing countries, and "slow-motion Bhopals", unseen chronic
poisoning from industrial pollution that causes irreversible
pain, suffering, and death (Weir, pp. xi-xii). These are the key
issues we face in a world where toxins are used and developed
without fully knowing the harm that can come from their use or
abuse.
Exposure to MIC has resulted in damage to the eyes and lungs and
has caused respiratory ailments such as chronic bronchitis and
emphysema, gastrointestinal problems like hyperacidity and
chronic gastritis, ophthalmic problems like chronic
conjunctivitis and early cataracts, vision problems, neurological
disorders such as memory and motor skills, psychiatric problems
of various types including varying grades of anxiety and
depression, musculoskeletal problems and gynecological problems
among the victims. It is estimated that children born in Bhopal
after the disaster face twice the risk of dying as do children
elsewhere, partly because parents cannot care for them
adequately. Surprisingly enough, despite the serious health
problems and the deaths that have occurred, Union Carbide claims
that the MIC is merely a "mild throat and ear irritant" (Lancet,
"Round..." p.952).
HEAVY METALS
Insoluble in water
absorbed into the body combine
with/ inhibit the function of particular
enzymes
Physiological/neurological
consequences +
Table: Heavy metals, density and crustal abundances
Eleme Density (g/cm3) Mean content in crustal rocks Essensial Very toxic or
nt (ppm) relatively available
Ag 10,5 0,07
Au 19,3 0,05
Bi 9,8 0,17
Cd 8,7 0,2
Cr 7,2 100 E
Co 8,9 25 E
Cu 8,9 55 E
Fe 7,9 60.000 E
Hg 13,6 0,08
Mn 7,4 950 E
Pb 11,3 13
Ni 8,9 75 E
Pt 21,5 0,05
U 19,1 2,7
V 6,1 135 E
Zn 7,1 70 E
Zr 6,5 165
Bioaccumulation : small, seemingly
harmless doses received over a long period
of time may accumulate in the body
Toxic level
– Heavy metals : non
biodegradable/ cannot be broken
down/destroyed by any chemical
process bind with protein in
the body.
BIOMAGNIFICATION: organism at the top of
food chain may accumulate levels 100.000
times higher than environmental concentration.
SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS:
≥ 2 chemicals act together to produce an effects
that is greater than the sum of effects caused by
the two acting separately.
Substance mg/l
Arsenic 5.0
Barium 100.0
Cadmium 1.0
Chromium 5.0
Lead 5.0
Mercury 0.2
Selenium 1.0
Silver 5.0